Betting On Potential
by Hope Cruz
“A person is successful if they know where they are and they know where they’re going and they’re progressively moving in that direction.” – Earl Nightingale
When I started as a Marketing Operations Specialist at Think Tank Photo, I believed I knew what to look for in a successful collaboration: high engagement, strong follower counts, and polished, professional work. These were the typical markers of influence.
Then, I received an impassioned email from a 16-year-old photographer in France, Jack Paterson.
His numbers didn’t meet the usual criteria and under normal circumstances, I would have dismissed his inquiry based on that alone, but his message stood out for its thoughtfulness and sincerity. Jack wasn’t asking for a handout; he was asking for a chance to prove himself, aware he was just beginning his journey.
Curious, I checked out his Instagram portfolio.
What I found was a young storyteller with a sharp eye for moments that quietly draw you in. There was a pensive friend, silhouetted against the Adriatic Sea at dusk, a house painter balanced on a ladder, his navy clothes speckled in white paint, a figure encased in a swirling halo of electric light, and a resolute ibex, poised on a rugged trail atop Mont Bégo in southern France.
Each image offered a glimpse into Jack’s world, evoking curiosity, and expressing a deep evocative appreciation for life.
His YouTube channel was equally compelling—a mix of introspective short films, nostalgic family vacation vignettes, and thoughtful documentaries. One piece, Climate Change, particularly struck me. It followed a hiker through untouched landscapes, disrupted by scattered litter, flickering between present beauty and a dystopian future of neglect. The film wasn’t just creative; it was an urgent message wrapped in storytelling.
Though Jack’s metrics didn’t meet the typical collaboration benchmarks, his work resonated with me. His authenticity, thoughtful storytelling, and genuine desire to grow were evident. So, I took a chance on him—not with contracts or expectations, but with a gesture of belief in his potential. I sent him one of our most popular outdoor photography bags—the BackLight 18L in Montane Green—curious to see what he might create.
A few weeks later, Jack sent me a short film titled Your Story Begins Here. I hadn’t expected anything in return, so it was a pleasant surprise. This wasn’t just a product showcase—it was a passion project. A deeply personal, introspective story full of heart.
It tells the story of a teenage boy, consumed by the mindless glow of his phone, disconnected from the world around him. Then, a mysterious radio transmission cuts through the haze, thrusting him onto an unexpected journey.
The film shifts from moody greens to warm, golden light, mirroring the character’s evolution from uncertainty to clarity. Clint Mansell’s Lux Aeterna also sets a tone of monotonous uncertainty, drawing you into the teenager’s world. As his journey unfolds, the music intensifies, transforming into a kinetic beat that fuels his newfound purpose.
Months later, Jack reached out again:
“Think Tank played a huge role in inspiring me to push forward. You were the first brand to respond and propose a business collaboration, and that gave me hope—hope that what I was doing mattered.”
His words stayed with me and reminded me that the most rewarding moments in this line of work don’t always come from the biggest names or the highest follower count. Sometimes, the true measure of success is found in moments like these—in seeing someone take the leap toward their dreams, knowing you helped play a part in it, and watching that ripple effect unfold.
Since submitting his short film to us, Jack has been busy with new projects and collaborations with other brands. He even founded his own film company, Paterson Pictures, with the mission of fostering a community of young creators and aspiring filmmakers, empowering them to bring their visions to life. Through Paterson Pictures, Jack isn't just creating art—he's building a platform that inspires others to do the same.
His latest short film, Le Cycle Final—a whimsical mystery that follows two brothers on an unexpected adventure to uncover the truth behind one of life’s greatest enigmas: what really happens to lost socks in the laundry? Another story full of heart, it further cements Jack’s reputation as a storyteller and filmmaker who turns the ordinary into something extraordinary.
